Cape Town
WHY SHOOT IN CAPE TOWN?
Cape Town works for commercials, features, documentaries, fashion and stills. A single day can move from a white sand beach to a mountain pass to a Winelands estate to the city, without a long drive. English is the working language, and rental houses, vehicles and experienced heads of department are all local.
LOCATIONS
Table Mountain and the Atlantic Seaboard give you hero landscapes. The colourful Bo-Kaap and the city centre add urban texture. The Cape Winelands can stand in for Mediterranean Europe, and the West Coast dunes can double for desert. Within roughly an hour of the city you can shoot automotive, fashion, lifestyle, food and tech work back to back.
- Table Mountain and the Atlantic Seaboard
- Bo-Kaap and the city centre
- Cape Winelands
- West Coast dunes and beaches
BEST TIME TO SHOOT
Most commercial work runs from November to March, when summer light is at its best and demand for crew, equipment and key locations is highest. Book early if you want specific dates. The Cape’s wind and cloud can change quickly, so we build flexible call sheets and back-up locations into every shoot day.
WHAT WE ORGANISE
What African Fixer organises in Cape Town.
- Filming and location permits
- Location scouting and recces
- Casting
- Local crew and heads of department
- Camera, lighting and grip hire
- Vehicles, transport and accommodation
- Customs clearance for imported equipment
- On the ground problem solving during the shoot
PERMITS AND EQUIPMENT
Commercial film, video and photography shoots in Cape Town need permits. We secure the approvals for you.
South Africa accepts ATA Carnets, so imported camera and lighting kit can come in duty free for the shoot. Your equipment must leave through a designated commercial customs point, such as Cape Town harbour or an international airport, or the carnet is not discharged. We plan your route so this is covered. See our guide to which African countries accept an ATA Carnet.
EXPERIENCE
African Fixer has serviced commercial work across South Africa, including DSV’s “The Drive Hero”, and supported Nike Football’s “Unleash the Game” in the Western Cape.
MORE ON SOUTH AFRICA
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Commercial film, video and photography shoots in Cape Town need permits. African Fixer secures the approvals on your behalf.
Yes. We provide vetted local crew, heads of department, camera and lighting hire, vehicles and full logistics.
Most commercial work runs from November to March, when the summer light is best. Book early for those months.
Yes. South Africa accepts ATA Carnets. Equipment must leave through a designated customs point, and we plan this with you.
A local fixer is your single point of contact for permits, customs, locations, transport and problem solving on the ground.
Planning a shoot in Cape Town?
Send us your brief and dates and we will come back with a plan.
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